October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

"There is a GARDEN of information available about early breast cancer detection. GROW your knowledge!"

These days, I have been feeling super crafty. Creativity helps me unwind after a day at work. I've been teaching myself to knit, and am now a whiz with papier maché. When the The Retreat's 4th Annual Decorated Bra Event made the call for entries, I leaped at the opportunity. The contest raises money for HeartStrings Sisters, a volunteer organization sponsored by IU Health Goshen and The Retreat, that provides information, free mammograms, and emotional support to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Votes are donations, and the winning bra is the one that raises the most money.

I wanted to create something beautiful, inspired by my patients. As I am a naturopathic doctor, I also wanted to make something "nature-y." A friend provided the sprig of artificial flowers, and my glue gun and I went to work. I used a foundation of burlap (a tote bag I bought earlier this summer at Target), lining the bra in striped fabric, and using green on the outside. I left the edges rough, to resemble growing grass. I then covered the burlap in flowers, leaves, and ivy.


My favorite detail is the small cluster of "baby's breath" hiding the clasp in the back.


Please visit the contest website and vote for your favorite. Vote for more than one, all of the proceeds go to HeartStrings Sisters.

For more information and to vote, go to goshenbracontest.org or vote in person at The Retreat in Goshen. The bras will be on display at First Friday, November 4, 2011, at Bryan Chris Photography.

Green Gifts that Keep on Giving

There are some of us who would find a year's membership to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program the perfect holiday gift (hint, hint), but thinking beyond the kitchen can be a challenge when it comes to eco-gift giving.

The Green Guide offers tips on green gift giving. Be sure to explore the How to Go Green links for tips on shopping for gifts such as clothing, high tech gadgets, and toys.

The Daily Muse email from Skirt.com lead me to Global Girlfriend, an online, fair-trade boutique featuring eco-friendly gifts made by women, providing them with economic opportunities they might not have otherwise. Whether it's Thistle Farms Moisturizing Body Balm or a yoga mat bag made from recycled rice bags, artisans from all over the world learn craft and business skills while creating unique gifts benefiting themselves and others.

Human Race

Yesterday I ran the Nike+Human Race 10k, the world's largest one day running event. Races were held in 25 cities across the globe. A portion of the proceeds went to one of three charities: the Lance Armstrong Foundation, ninemillion.org, and the World Wildlife Fund.

My training for this race included running short distances and Friday noticed a tightness on the lateral aspects of my leg, in my iliotibial band. Saturday morning I went by the Natural Health Center for kinesiotaping and some racing advice from Dr. Minarik. Kinesiotaping is a method of therapeutic taping used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and physicians to help support muscles in daily activity or in rehabilitation and to increase circulation of blood and lymph. After a brief consultation with a student clinician, Dr. Minarik taped my ITB and my shins, to ward off shin splints. After the initial application, my legs instantly felt lighter. It was as if the tape was lifting my legs, defying gravity itself. I did not get black or a fancy, bright colored tape as seen at the Olympics, but a more subtle beige. He then gave me advice on staying hydrated and what and when to eat the morning of the race.

A friend lent me a water bottle carrier that strapped around my waist which supplied me with electolyte-infused water during the run. I also carried some homeopathics and my cellphone, which I used to text friends when I reached the halfway point. Cheesy, yes, but I couldn't believe I had actually run that far, I had to share!

I completed the race in 1:13'57", a full half hour faster than I originally calculated. Running with others inspired me to keep going, and I picked out certain runners to keep up with and maintain my pace. I started slow, then after the first 2.5k only slowed down up the few inclines along the course. My iPod played a carefully chosen song selection to keep me motivated. I even placed Nada Surf songs every 12-15 minutes so I could keep track of my timing. The Brooklyn-based band played the post-race concert, and even though I had just run farther than I every had in my life (and faster, too), I danced throughout the hour-long show (that's me with the ponytail at the front of the stage, to the right).

I asked one woman at the start of the race what inspired her to participate and she told me she wanted to start getting in shape as well as be a part of something big. I admit it was pretty amazing being part of such a huge event, and I am now inspired to keep running to maintain my health, help reduce stress, and inspire others to do the same.

Photograph of concert: Official Nike Running Blog

Hot and coolness

It's going to be another hot day here in the Pacific NW...over 100°! Stay cool wherever you are by staying indoors and keeping yourself hydrated. I've requested (and dispensed) advice on ways to increase water intake for those of us who tend not to drink as much as we should. Not to repeat myself (as I did in yesterday's post about healthy houseplants...I originally posted that link last year!), I will now include other ways of staying hydrated...eating!

Eat your water! Foods that contain high water content include fruits and veggies, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini and greens like lettuce, spinach, and celery. Make a refreshing fruit soup or a delicious cold veggie soup, like gazpacho (see picture...I made that!) or chilled pea, for lunch or dinner. Serve it with a mixed green salad and add some protein like nuts, fish, or chicken.

Pretty cool, right? Here are some more cool things I found on the 'net (courtesy of Weiden+Kennedy):

The Girl Effect


Wordle! Make word cloud art.

Websites as graphs? Not sure of it's purpose, but just some more things to look at as you cool off indoors.

For more strange, behind the scenes insight into the world of advertising, check out the W+K Portland blog.

Take a Stand

For more information, please go to standup2cancer.org/.

Always a bridesmaid...

You know the saying. Well, this organization loves that you've collected all of those foofy taffeta bridesmaid gowns and they actually want them! There are a bunch of charities across the country that accept donated ballgowns, formals, and yes, bridesmaid dresses, then they give them to girls who aren't able to buy prom dresses!

Sure, prom season was LAST month (or was it the month before?), but this is a good site to keep in the back of your mind when you are cleaning out your closet.